Scranton Preparatory School offers students the opportunity to take up to four years of lab sciences. Freshmen are required to take Introduction to Chemistry and Physics, while sophomores are required to take Biology. Students must then complete a minimum of one additional year of a laboratory science. Normally, students take Chemistry in junior year and a Physics course in senior year.
Chemistry 1
This introductory course in chemistry lays the foundation for success in all subsequent science courses taught at Scranton Prep. This course has a quantitative emphasis on the traditional content areas of a first-year high school chemistry course while meeting national standards. Hands on laboratory skills and problem-solving skills will be a major focus of the class.
Advanced Chemistry 1
This introductory course in chemistry is intended for students who have proven via placement test that their science problem-solving skills are strong enough to cover material at a faster pace than the Chemistry 1 course. This course has the same qualitative emphasis on traditional content areas of a high school chemistry course while exceeding national standards. There is also the same integrated hands-on laboratory component as Chemistry 1.
Biology
The biology program offers a balance between textual and investigative material. The textual areas include a study of cells, molecular biology, genetics, evolution, and a survey of both plant and animal life, with stress on the human life form as a whole organism. These will be coupled with the investigation into a vastly changing field, including recombinant DNA technology, virology, immunology, and CRISPR research.
Chemistry
This course offers modern concepts and principles of chemical science. The primary skills emphasized are the acquisition of basic chemical knowledge, the development of insights into chemical concepts which are often best illustrated by an ability to solve problems and the mastery of laboratory techniques necessary for a sophisticated study of the science.
A.P. Chemistry
Students with outstanding aptitude and interest in science may select A.P. Chemistry which follows the comprehensive course of study designated by the College Board. This is a college-level course in chemistry intended to provide an extensive foundation and competence in dealing with chemical principles. A complementary lab course is also completed. This course is a part of the seven-year cooperative program with the University of Scranton. Students will sit for the A.P. exam at the conclusion of the academic year.
Applied Chemistry
The emphasis of this course is acquisition of basic chemical knowledge. The context of this acquisition is the belief that chemical properties and principles pervade nearly every aspect of a student’s personal life and environment. The course seeks to identify the connection between the student and the science.
A.P. Biology
This is an elective for highly motivated seniors who wish to pursue a career in the biological sciences at the university level. The course is meant to parallel the objectives of a first-year college biology course. Students will sit for the A.P. examination at the conclusion of the academic year. This course has a pre-requisite of chemistry or AP chemistry and a co-requisite of any physics class.
Physics
This in-depth physics course is for students with widely differing career plans (i.e., scientific or non-scientific career plans). The course follows the traditional approach to physics with major emphasis on mechanics, light, electricity and magnetism. Lecture topics are reinforced with a well-coordinated laboratory program. Problem solving is emphasized throughout the course.
A.P. Physics 1
The A.P. Physics 1 syllabus is structured in accordance with the A.P. Program of the College Board. The syllabus is prepared by the science department of Scranton Preparatory School. Emphasis is placed on the development of critical and analytical thinking skills. All students will sit for the A.P. examination at the conclusion of the academic year. This course has a pre-requisite of Chemistry or AP Chemistry.
A.P. Physics C: Mechanics
This is an intense and analytical physics course to be taken only by students who are concurrently taking AP Calculus. The A.P. Physics C Mechanics program is geared towards students who want a more in depth and analytical approach to Physics. The course incorporates both a lecture and laboratory component. All students will sit for the A.P. Exam at the conclusion of the academic year. This course has a pre-requisite of Chemistry or AP Chemistry.
Physics of Energy
This course gives students a foundation in the physical principles that underlie the energy landscape. This course will provide an understanding of the fundamental laws and the physical process that govern the sources, extraction, transmission, storage, degradation and end uses of energy.
Chemistry II Honors
Chemistry II Honors is course that picks up where Chemistry I left off. The content of the course will begin with a brief review of Chemistry 1 topics then move on to cover topics such as stoichiometric relationships, acid-base calculations, kinetics, equilibrium and redox. The lab experience for this course will be rich and an in-depth study to mirror the topics covered in the class. The objective of the course is to prepare students to be successful in their first year of college chemistry.
Chemistry II/ Physics
Chemistry II/ Physics is a course designed to round out a student’s exposure to chemistry and some of the more advanced topics that were not covered in Chemistry I, as well as, give a basic understanding of kinematics in physics. The course will consist of a half year of Chemistry II and a half year of Physics. Each part of the course will have a lab component that will enrich the students understanding of classwork being covered.
